The GCC states are developing a broad framework for the introduction of VAT. The framework agreement will set out the underlying principles of VAT laws for the six GCC countries, although there are likely to be areas where member states will have some flexibility.

Oman CEO Outlook

News Release: Oman CEO Outlook

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News Release

81% of Omani CEOs are confident of business growth over next three years: KPMG Oman CEO Outlook Survey

Revenue has grown by more than 20% annually for a third of companies interviewedRevenue has grown by more

CEOs cite regulatory, geo-political and interest rates as their top three risks

21% of Oman CEOs cite developing and managing talent as their most important strategic priority

Muscat, 31 January 2017: A vast majority of Oman CEOs are confident of their organization’s growth over the next three years despite a period of prolonged reduced oil prices, KPMG’s 2017 Oman CEO Outlook Survey has found.

96 percent of Oman CEOs believe that their organizations will continue to focus on certain core competencies to grow their business over the next three years – including innovation. Almost two-thirds - 62 percent - believe that their organizations will have undergone real change during this period. Almost half the CEOs interviewed in Oman indicated that their organization took a strategic approach to innovation, although 16 percent indicated that lack of internal resources or intellectual property has meant that innovation had to be brought in – either through alliances or acquisitions.

The study titled ‘Now or Never’ also found that, in an increasingly challenging economic environment, Oman CEOs are embracing change through policies that are in the national interest, including the Tanfeedh program which aims to diversify the economy in the short and long term. Vikas Papriwal, the Head of Markets for KPMG in the UAE and Oman, commented: “GCC economies have been experiencing almost unprecedented change in the wake of a prolonged period of low oil prices; however, as Oman embraces a robust national strategy of economic diversification, its CEOs have expressed a very encouraging level of confidence in their business in the next three years.

“The findings of our first Oman CEO Outlook indicate that Oman businesses are far more optimistic than their global counterparts. We attribute this to a very strong generational change across the Sultanate with an increasing number of CEOs, especially young Omanis within the 30-40 age bracket, driving decision-making.”

Twenty one percent of Oman CEOs identified talent development and management as their most important strategic priority compared with 18 percent of their global peers but substantially more than their UAE peers – only four percent of whom saw this as a top priority. Diversifying into new business areas was also cited as a strategic priority for Oman CEOs at 19 percent compared with 14 percent of UAE CEOs. Interestingly, while UAE CEOs suggested external factors - from global economic to geo-political factors – were most likely to affect growth over the next few years, Oman CEOs believe domestic economic factors outweigh all other factors.

Ashok Hariharan, a partner with KPMG in Oman and Head of Tax in the Lower Gulf, said: “It is very encouraging that Oman CEOs across key sectors remain confident of their ability to successfully transform their business despite a challenging economic backdrop. Oman CEOs know what they need to do to stay successful in the short term and emerge as winners. The time for change is really – as our outlook suggests - now or never.”